TRAI Report: Jio Adds 2.71 Million Users, Airtel Gains 2.69 Million in September

Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel added over 5.3 million mobile subscribers in September, as India’s wireless subscriber base crossed 1.3 billion, according to the latest TRAI data.

Jio and Airtel Add Over 5.3 Million Subscribers in September; India’s Wireless Base Crosses 1.3 Billion

India’s telecom sector continued to expand in September, with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel recording substantial subscriber additions. Data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) showed that the two leading private operators together gained more than 5.3 million wireless users during the month.

India’s overall wireless subscriber base increased by 6.57 million, crossing the 1.3 billion mark and highlighting continued demand for mobile connectivity and data services.

Jio and Airtel Record Similar Subscriber Gains

According to TRAI’s monthly telecom subscription report, Reliance Jio added approximately 2.713 million wireless subscribers in September. Bharti Airtel followed closely, gaining around 2.692 million users.

Together, the operators accounted for the majority of the month’s net subscriber additions. The figures demonstrate their strong position in India’s competitive telecom market, where network coverage, service quality, bundled plans and premium offerings influence customer choices.

Jio remained India’s largest wireless service provider at the end of September, with approximately 511.1 million subscribers. Airtel held the second position with around 494.3 million users.

Vodafone Idea’s subscriber base remained above 200 million, according to the supplied figures.

Narrow Competition Between India’s Top Telecom Operators

The difference between Jio and Airtel’s monthly subscriber additions was relatively small. Jio gained approximately 21,000 more users than Airtel during September.

Despite the close monthly figures, Jio maintained an overall lead of nearly 17 million wireless subscribers over Airtel at the end of the month.

Both companies have continued to compete through network expansion, bundled mobile plans and enhanced connectivity services. Their efforts to attract new users and retain existing customers have helped them maintain strong positions in India’s telecom industry.

The near-equal subscriber gains also indicate that both operators remain competitive in attracting new connections and customers switching between networks.

Vodafone Idea and BSNL Also Add Subscribers

Other telecom operators reported subscriber growth during September.

Vodafone Idea added 550,119 wireless subscribers during the month, taking its overall subscriber base beyond 200 million. The addition indicates that the company continued to attract users despite competition from larger private operators.

State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) recorded an increase of 625,633 subscribers. The company’s reported subscriber base stood at 942.96 million, according to the supplied report.

These additions contributed to the overall growth of India’s wireless market, although Jio and Airtel remained responsible for the largest share of new connections.

India’s Broadband Subscriber Base Continues to Grow

TRAI’s report also highlighted growth in broadband connections across the country. India’s broadband subscriber base reached 1,107.68 million at the end of September, registering a month-on-month increase of 0.59%.

The figures were compiled from information submitted by 1,596 telecom operators as part of TRAI’s monthly performance indicators.

The increase in broadband connections reflects continued demand for internet access across mobile and fixed-line services. Growing reliance on online platforms, digital payments, streaming services and other data-intensive applications is contributing to the importance of reliable connectivity.

Telecom companies are also working to improve network coverage and expand 5G services as they compete for customers seeking faster data speeds and better service experiences.

What September’s TRAI Data Means for India’s Telecom Market

The latest subscriber figures reinforce the leading positions of Jio and Airtel in India’s telecom industry. Their combined additions accounted for most of the net growth in wireless connections during September.

Although Vodafone Idea and BSNL also registered gains, the scale of Jio’s and Airtel’s additions highlights the continued strength of the two private operators.

For telecom companies, attracting new subscribers is only one part of the competition. Retaining customers, improving network performance and encouraging users to adopt higher-value services will remain important as data consumption increases.

TRAI’s monthly reports provide an overview of subscriber movements, market developments and service performance across India’s telecom sector. The September figures show that the country’s mobile and broadband markets continued to expand, with the largest private operators maintaining their strong positions.